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Domestic
From Page 1 things might get worse. And they did,” Linda said. Finally, in 2005, Patricia left her boyfriend and filed for a protection from abuse order, following the advice of her parents and the staff at Safehome, a Johnson County women’s shelter program. Her story ended happily, but not all do. Parents and grandparents are often drawn into domestic disputes involving their children and grandchildren, sometimes with tragic results. In December, a Wichita man fatally shot his mother-in-law in her Riverside home, where his wife had taken refuge after their separation. The man, who was fatally shot by police, also wounded his wife in the incident. Their two young children, who also were present, were not injured. Of 52 criminal homicides in Wichita in 2020, 13 were related to domestic violence cases, according to police. “We’ve seen an uptick in domestic violence cases, especially aggravated domestic violence, since around the time of COVID, in March (of last year),” Officer Charley Davidson said. According to the Wichita Family Crisis Center, one in three women
the active age experience domestic violence or sexual assault at some point in their lives. Last year, the WFCC, one of three Wichita shelter programs for victims of domestic abuse, provided services to about 2,000 women, according to its website. Domestic violence isn’t limited to physical abuse, said Keri McGregor, program director with Catholic Charities’ Harbor House, another Wichita program that works with domestic violence victims. It’s also about intimidation, control and power over one’s partner and can extend to the victim’s children, other family members and even pets. “It’s sad what happened in Riverside,” McGregor said. “It’s not common, but it can happen.” Parents and other family members who see a loved one in an abusive situation often want to help them, McGregor and others said. “Our crisis line is not just for victims but anyone who is impacted by domestic violence,” McGregor said. Last year, Harbor House received about 90 calls from individuals who were not victims but wanted to know more about what they could do to help their loved ones in a suspected abuse situation. Karla Armbrister, outreach coordinator for the Wichita Family Crisis Center, formerly the YWCA
April 2021
Courtesy photo
Pat and Linda O'Donnell helped their daughter leave an abusive relationship.
Women’s Crisis Shelter, said she recently fielded a call from a mother who was calling on her daughter’s behalf to get information. The daughter had been reluctant to call herself but was willing to listen in. Calls from parents tend to run along the lines of identifying signs of abuse, trying to understand why the victim may be reluctant to leave and figuring out how they can help, said McGregor and Armbrister. Helping a loved one leave an Wichita Foot & Ankle Wound Center, LLC Wichita Foot & Ankle Wound Center, LLC Wichita Foot & Ankle Wound Center, LLC Wichita Foot & Ankle Wound Center, LLC abusive relationship can be a long and Christopher Surtman, DPM DPM Christopher Surtman, DPM difficult process. Victims may stay in Christopher Surtman, DPM Christopher Surtman, 316.652.5251 office 316.652.9913 fax 316.652.5251 office 316.652.9913 fax 316.652.5251 office call for an appt. 316-652-9913 fax 316.652.5251 office call for an appt. 316-652-9913 fax situations for various reasons, ranging Call forCall an appt we are now scheduling appt for Fridays from fearing more harm if they leave for an appt we are now scheduling appt for Fridays Podiatric Services & Wound Care Care Podiatric Services & Wound and lacking financial means to support Heel Pain, Arch Pain, Corns &Corns Callouses, & Wound Ingrown Nails, Podiatric &Fungal Wound Care Heel Pain, Arch Pain,Services & Callouses, & Ingrown Nails, Ulcers Podiatric Services &Fungal CareUlcers themselves to lacking self-esteem or Try our NEW LIGHT ORTHOTICS, wear them and much Try our NEW LIGHT ORTHOTICS, wearhome them home much more. EWmore. Heel Pain, Arch Pain, Corns & Callouses, Heel Pain, Arch Pain, Corns & Callouses, Nand N even feeling guilt. the same day. the same day. ATIO LOCtartingFungalFungal & Ingrown Nails, Ulcers and much more. “If you are a family member & Ingrown Nails, Ulcers and much more. s st ch 1 220 Hillside, Suite B r 220 Hillside, Suite B and you see someone in an abusive a M 220 Hillside, Suite BSuite B 220 Hillside, 940 N. Tyler Suite 206 relationship, don’t be judgmental, but (located behind the Neurology Center of Wichita) (located behind the Neurology Center of Wichita) (located(located behindbehind the Neurology CenterCenter of Wichita) the Neurology of Wichita) try to be compassionate,” said Carol
Munsell, the senior victim/witness coordinator in Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office. “It’s important to let the survivor know that you are there to listen, and your main concern is to keep them safe,” Armbrister said. Loved ones also can help document incidents of abuse. Those records can help in providing evidence to support a domestic violence case, Munsell said. Pat and Linda O’Donnell said one of the things that helped their daughter was to tell her in every call that they loved her. Parents need to realize that when a victim leaves, that’s when the risks for both the victim and even extended family are highest, McGregor said. “It can go from zero to 60 so fast when the abuser realizes that the See next page
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